| Vaccinations are important, even for indoor | | | | When: At 6 to 8 weeks, 9 to 11 weeks, and 12 |
| pets. Some diseases are airborne or can be | | | | to 14 weeks |
| acquired by contact with fecal matter that | | | | |
| might be brought into your house on your | | | | Booster: 1 year after last puppy dose, then |
| street shoes. Diseases that affect pets are | | | | every 1 to 3 years depending on vaccine |
| present in the environment, and some diseases | | | | typeDogVaccine: Rabies |
| can spread to humans.Any animal that goes | | | | |
| outdoors should be vaccinated annually for | | | | When: 3 months |
| rabies. This includes ferrets and bunnies. If | | | | |
| you have a small house dog, or your dog is at | | | | Booster: 1 year after puppy dose, then as |
| low risk for contracting Leptospirosis, your | | | | required by local authoritiesDogVaccine: |
| vet may determine that this vaccination is | | | | Coronavirus |
| not necessary. Aged animals should only be | | | | |
| vaccinated on the recommendation of your | | | | When: 6 weeks of age, then every 2-4 weeks |
| vet.Vaccinations protect your beloved pet | | | | until 12 weeks of ageDog - if it will be |
| from painful and often fatal diseases. They | | | | exposed to ticksVaccine: Lyme |
| help ensure a long and happy life for your | | | | |
| pet, with many hours of enjoyment for you | | | | When: 9 to 11 weeks, and 12 to 14 weeks |
| with your animal companion. The cost of | | | | |
| vaccinations is very small, compared to the | | | | Booster: Every yearDog - if it will be |
| cost of treating a disease or of losing your | | | | boarded, or going to dog shows or obedience |
| pet altogether. Many communities have | | | | classesVaccine: Kennel cough (Bordetelle) |
| vaccination clinics where you can get free | | | | |
| rabies vaccines for example. Check with your | | | | When: 16 weeks |
| local animal shelter or veterinarian to find | | | | |
| out when a free vaccination clinic is | | | | Booster: Every yearDog - outdoor dogs; can |
| scheduled.Your pet's age, health, lifestyle, | | | | spread to humans Vaccine: Giardia |
| environment, and geographic location can all | | | | |
| affect the vaccination schedule. Ask your | | | | When: 12 weeks, 15 weeks |
| veterinarian about the most appropriate | | | | |
| vaccines for your pet.Vaccination | | | | Booster: Every year, if indicated in your |
| ScheduleCatVaccine: Panleukopenia, | | | | area* Not a vaccination, but dogs should |
| Herpesvirus and calicivirus (combined)When: | | | | receive heartworm prevention starting at |
| As early as 6 weeks, with boosters every 3 to | | | | between 8-15 weeks of age, continued for |
| 4 weeks until at least 12 weeks of | | | | life, with annual heartworm blood tests.After |
| ageBooster: Every 3 yearsCatVaccine: Feline | | | | the vaccination, it is important to watch |
| infectious peritonitis (FIP) | | | | your pet for the next couple of days for any |
| | | | signs of a reaction to the shot. Possible |
| When: Begin at 4 months old, repeat in 2-4 | | | | symptoms include: |
| weeks | | | | |
| | | | Loss of appetiteMinor feverIrritability, |
| Booster: Every year | | | | expressed as biting, growling, or |
| | | | unwillingness to be with peopleUnusual |
| CatVaccine: Feline distemper | | | | sleepiness, lack of energySwelling or redness |
| | | | around the injection site |
| When: At 9 weeks old and 12 weeks old | | | | |
| | | | |
| Booster: Every year | | | | |
| | | | If you notice any of these signs, contact |
| Cat, Dog, Ferret, BunnyVaccine: Rabies | | | | your veterinarian. If you observe a lump on |
| | | | your cat for more than 3 months after it has |
| When: At 3 months for initial protection, | | | | been vaccinated for rabies or feline leukemia |
| and again at 1 year | | | | call your vet. This could be a sign of a |
| | | | vaccine-associated tumor.Reactions to |
| Booster: Every 1 to 3 yearsDog* | | | | vaccines happen from time to time, but for |
| | | | the most part, having your pet vaccinated, |
| | | | and given a health checkup once a year, is |
| | | | the safest way to protect them and help them |
| Vaccine: Distemper, Hepatitis, | | | | live a long, happy life.Sources: American |
| Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (combined DHPP), | | | | Animal Hospital Association and Ontario |
| Leptospirosis, Adenovirus | | | | Veterinary Medical Association, Ontario, |
| | | | CanadaFind Everything Pets - Petboro. |